The Knicks now must fear losing their very best player to the Lakers, the team their new president once coached to five NBA championships.

Two reports Saturday claimed the Lakers feel they are in the mix of contenders trying to be that team to unseat the Knicks as the favorites for Anthony, who has a home in Los Angeles. Yahoo! Sports reported it was unclear if the Lakers had moved past the Knicks or Bulls, but had at least moved up in priority over the weekend. Grantland’s Bill Simmons tweeted the Lakers made “a major impact’’ on Anthony.

Hearing the Lakers made a MAJOR impact on Melo this week – it's now a legit 3-way battle between LA/Chi/NYK to land him. Crazy NBA weekend.

Perhaps the premier name right after LeBron James in the 2014 free-agency class, Anthony could make his decision soon. Anthony must decide if he wants to remain a Knick and go along with the vision of the future put forth by team president Phil Jackson, who earned five of his 11 title rings with the Lakers. Nevertheless, the Knicks still are seen as the favorites.

Anthony’s other choice is to possibly find a faster, although less lucrative, route to his own title elsewhere.

The Lakers now are seen as another possible route after meeting with Anthony in Los Angeles and making a great impression. The Lakers reportedly would offer a deal of four years and $96 million. Only the Knicks can go to a fifth year on a deal potentially worth $129 million.

Such a move could bring Anthony together with friend Kobe Bryant, who re-upped with the Lakers for a max deal during last season. But the Lakers, whose president is Jackson’s fiancée Jeanie Buss, could be hamstrung for roster flexibility with Bryant and Anthony on max deals. They would look to re-sign Pau Gasol, who is a name also closely aligned with Knicks hopes.

Other teams remain in the mix, notably the Bulls and Rockets. Chicago, though, lacks the cap-space to equal what either the Knicks or Lakers could offer.

The Los Angeles move could appeal to Anthony’s actress wife, La La, although previous indications were that her preference is New York.

The Lakers on Thursday gave a Hollywood-style pitch to Anthony, with presentations from celebrity types informing the Knicks star of opportunities for him and his wife. Bryant missed the meeting, but reportedly was in Anthony’s ear over the weekend.

Most signs, portends, rumors, gossip and unsolicited advice have pointed to Anthony remaining a Knick and perhaps even accepting less than max money after the first year of his new deal to help in the process of upgrading the roster.

Anthony spent much of the past week being wined, dined and pleaded with in Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Los Angeles. The Knicks have been seen as favorites to retain him, with the Bulls and Rockets weighing in as contenders, but now the Lakers appear in the mix.

Anthony heard the pitch for the max from Jackson during a meeting with the Knicks in Los Angeles on Thursday. After playing for max money in the first year of a new deal, Anthony could play for less to provide roster flexibility. Anthony was very impressed with the plan for the future proposed by Jackson and new coach Derek Fisher.

A wild card in all of this is James, the galaxy’s finest basketball specimen, who in the past has expressed a desire to unite with his friend, Anthony. James’ decision figures to influence what path Anthony chooses.

Many factors will impact the decision. Anthony does not want to endure another wretched season like the one he just suffered through with the Knicks, who have added Jose Calderon to upgrade at point guard. There is hope of getting Gasol to leave the Lakers and swap coasts, although for significantly less money. Gasol has Lakers ties to Jackson and Fisher and Spanish national team kinship with Calderon.